Wood blinds or faux wood blinds block out a great deal of sun, but not all of it. If you want complete darkness to grab a few more winks on weekends, add some curtains over the binds to double up the sun defense.
Do you need curtains if you have wooden blinds on their own? No, you don't need curtains with blinds for any functional or aesthetic reasons; certainly not in the same way that most of us would say that you'd need curtains or blinds as well as a voile or net at the window.
"If curtains aren't serving a purpose like filtering light or providing privacy I think it's nice to keep windows uncovered—so long as they are well made and a good scale," says Jenny Brown. Kristen Nix nixed curtains in this neutral room to give it the feel of a solarium.
"Blinds offer the most light control with a variety of tilting options. Blinds or shades can be paired with drapery to enhance windows in any part of the home." While each type of window treatment has its own unique set of characteristics, all of them can be used to transform any room.
Blackout blinds are different; they're designed to block light completely, making them an ideal choice for bedrooms or media rooms. You'll often see these used in hotels and theaters, but they're also great for providing privacy at night in bedrooms and living rooms.
More privacy: by turning the blinds up, you limit the amount of visibility space directed towards the room. People won't be able to see inside when passing by.
If your blinds are completely closed, as in you can't see anything through them, then they can't see in, but they might be able to see shadows if your lights are on at night and your standing near the window. Go outside at night with your lights on inside and see if you can see through. That'll answer your question.
Curtains will give better light control but blinds may be more practical in a smaller space. If you decide on a blind, have it made longer and wider than the window to minimise light drift. Curtains are best installed close to the ceiling or better still, with a pelmet above to stop light from escaping.
Blinds tend to come in a narrower range of materials and styles and only in solid colors; this minimalism makes them better suited for the modern look of the Scandinavian, industrial, and coastal interior styles.
In Modern Home Design, they highlight choosing curtains that are a simple color, but with a small pattern near the top. This pattern can then be matched with the furniture, or can simply add a nice touch to a solid-colored modern room.
Are they still in style? Just about everyone agrees that curtains are still in style, but not just because they are useful and affordable. According to Livingetc, curtains add texture and coziness to a space, something other window coverings like blinds and shutters cannot do.
A condo with floor to ceiling, wall to wall windows and Stone walls flanking either side does definitely not need the curtain treatment. Hanging out over the ocean, it simple doesn't need to “fill” of fabric. Bathrooms, especially kid bathrooms, might actually be adversely affected by curtains.
Maximize Natural Light
Or, if you really want to let the light shine in, opt for bare windows! Whether you choose sheer curtains, cafe curtains or nothing at all, maximizing natural light is a trend that's here to stay.
Close curtains and blinds
If you're on a budget consider only thermal lining the rooms with direct sun. White or light coloured curtains and blinds are better at reflecting heat and light away from your home. If you have thick, dark curtains, closing them will only trap heat in the room.
They were mainly used to block out the cold and were constructed of wood or fabric. With new fabrics and patterns, window coverings have become more adaptable and simple to use. Window blinds are a common option for many homeowners today because of the variety of designs and hues available.
Since blinds tend to be cheaper than curtains, they're also ideal for the budget-conscious shopper. And they're great when curtains just aren't right for a window. Got a window right above a radiator, bathtub, or kitchen sink? Pick blinds over curtains.
While window treatments can help to add value to your home, there are some cases when the opposite holds true. If the blinds or shutters are outdated or in disrepair, that may end up lowering the value. Likewise, inexpensive plastic blinds purchased at hardware or home goods stores won't add anything to your home.
Designers consider window shades and blinds essential for many reasons. But there are so many options — how do you choose the right ones? Most windows need a little help from window coverings to manage light levels or provide privacy. But sometimes it's just about making them look their best.
Curtains Cost. On the whole, blinds are typically cheaper than curtains. This is because a curtain is an entire panel of fabric, while a blind is just a few slats of lightweight material.
Solar shades are designed to allow you to see out, but other's not see in, providing daytime privacy. The exact opposite is true at night! When a light is on in the room, people outside will be able to see directly into your home.
'From a best practice point of view, we recommend opening blinds at night on west and north-west facing windows to help with nighttime cooling and closing the blinds during the day on east and south-east facing windows to help create a cool refuge from the sun. '
Whether others outside can see through blinds or not at night really depends on the type of binds you use and the fabric materials on it: blackout, transparent, or translucent. Generally, what you see outside through blinds during the day is what others will see inside at night.
Turn your blinds up. This direction is better for improved privacy too, as minimized gaps between the slats don't allow curious passersby to view the inside of the house. To let in a small amount of natural light, it's best to turn your blinds down and close them.